Chiang Mai
Landing in Chiang Mai, you might spot monks with smartphones or tuk-tuks doing laps around the old city moat. It is a travel destination where the markets open before the sun yawns and the street food sellers can smell rain before it falls. Someone once told me their pineapple here tasted like nowhere else—maybe it was the jetlag, maybe not. Popular things to do or visit? Some folks swear by the night bazaar, others by the mountain temple where dogs nap on the stairs. If you’re seeking the best hotel in Chiang Mai, good luck: the pillow menu alone may take you a week to choose. Just don’t try to ride an elephant unless you want to be followed by guilt for the rest of your trip.
Local weather in Thailand
SPRING
warm & sunny
SUMMER
warm & sunny
AUTUMN
mild & temperate
WINTER
mild & temperate
Accommodations in Chiang Mai
Discover the best accommodations for Chiang Mai and start planning your holiday.
What to expect and how to enjoy Chiang Mai for the long haul
So, you think you’ve seen temples? Chiang Mai has them in spades, and maybe even in hearts. On my first visit, I counted until I lost track, distracted by the scent of grilled pork skewers and the thrum of a passing scooter with a cat riding shotgun. The markets close late, and sometimes the only thing louder than the bargaining is the geckos chirping in the rafters. Here, travel destination popular things to do or visit include everything from weaving your own scarf to getting a massage from someone who is either a retired monk or just says so.
The best hotel in Chiang Mai is a moving target; one day it’s a riverside spot with a leaky shower, the next it’s a guesthouse where the owner teaches origami and forgets your breakfast order. Don’t be surprised if the rooster next door becomes your personal alarm clock, or if you find yourself attending a midnight Muay Thai match because you took a wrong turn after dinner. Inconsistencies are a feature, not a bug, and that’s before you try to decipher the songthaew routes. For those who chase more than just Instagram likes, Chiang Mai offers a buffet of oddities, and sometimes you’ll even remember to eat.
Other cities around Thailand
These popular destinations have a lot to offer for you next holiday or city break.
